"Nobody who knows POTUS’ thinking on Keystone is talking and nobody who is talking knows," Lehrich said.

The article didn't include the recent move by the State Department to stop the clock on its interagency review of the pipeline, which will likely postpone a decision on the $5.4 billion project until after the midterm elections.

Lehrich also said that the national interest review is being conducted by the State Department, emphasizing that the White House isn't involved at this stage of the process.